National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 Submission 1299
Question I am writing as the parent of a young man with complex disabilities who is an NDIS participant. At the beginning of this year, we transitioned our 22 year old son into his own home in Lakelands. He is non-speaking and requires 24 hour support and supervision. Due to the nature of his disability, he experiences significant difficulties with emotional regulation and has behaviours of concern that require highly individualised and consistent support arrangements. I strongly oppose the proposed Bill, as I believe it will significantly reduce the availability of individualised supports for people with disabilities such as my son. The introduction of automated decision-making processes and algorithms, particularly without accessible avenues for individual appeal, has the potential to place vulnerable people at serious risk. We were required to appeal my son’s most recent NDIS plan because it did not adequately meet his support needs. Initially, he was funded to reside in a shared home with two other NDIS participants. However, due to the complexity of his disability and support requirements, this arrangement would have been harmful both to him and to those around him. We were forced to undertake an internal review and subsequently an external review through the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) in order to demonstrate why he required additional support. Following this process, he was finally approved for 24 hour support. If my son’s current supports are reduced or not adequately maintained, he would no longer be able to live independently in the community. As a result, my husband and I would be required to significantly reduce our working hours in order to provide care and support for our adult son ourselves.
I ask the Committee to carefully consider the profound impact the following proposed changes could have on my son’s quality of life and on the lives of many other Australians living with disability: • The proposed 50% reduction to social and community participation funding from October 2026. • The Minister’s expanded powers to reduce funding without appeal rights under section 34A. • The stricter unscheduled reassessment provisions and the reduction of review rights. • The use of automated decisions and algorithms without access to individualised review or appeal mechanisms.
Finally, I urge the Commission to consider the introduction of an Australian Human Rights Act to better protect the rights, dignity, and safety of people with disability.